Door module

ABSTRACT

A door model comprising a totally function unit including on a basic body a side reinforcement, an internal opening control and an external opening control with a vibration absorbent sheet, an inner upper reinforcement of the base body, a window winder, a locking device, a vibration absorbent support, a window pane, and window pane guides. The unit is assembled into a door by inserting glass that protrudes therefrom onto a rear guide in the door, supporting the unit firstly in the area of the lock and later completing fixing by bolts or similar items in the area of the hinges.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application is the national stage under 35 U.S.C. 371 ofPCT/ES98/00307, filed Nov. 12, 1998.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a door module applicable to automobilevehicles. Insofar as is known concerning the different components ofvehicle doors, these components are mostly fitted into the door or intothe door module on the assembly line and submitted to unitary andassembly operational tests as they are incorporated into the basemodule.

This way of proceeding causes a considerable number of problems inassembly, which in turn cause time to be lost, as well as inaccuraciesand tolerance deficiencies, which lead to an increase in productioncosts.

Some attempts have been made to mount some of the door components onboard primary units. Nevertheless, the production of totally functionalunits has not been achieved.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One basic objective of the invention, therefore, is to provide a doormodule which is completely functional and operative.

Another objective of the invention is to provide a door module that isfixed to the door quickly and easily.

In order to put these two objectives into practice, the door module inaccordance with the invention consists of the following basic elements:a base part with an upper reinforcement determined by a part thatextends from the position of the lock to the area of the hinges.Situated in the lock portion is a vertical lock reinforcement, which issecured to the end of the previously mentioned upper reinforcement.

In an approximately parallel position to the said upper reinforcement ofthe base part is positioned a vibration absorbent support which, in thesame way, runs from the hinge area to the lock area, extending in thisarea based on a U-shaped portion in a vertical position that takes innthe lock in its inner base, while on its exterior it receives thepreviously mentioned outer lock reinforcement.

The base part extends at its lower end and receives ends of the windowwinder device included in the module, as well as the two guides thathold the window pane between them. The window winder device is providedwith two lower ends that connect to the lower edge of the window paneand the window winder system is driven by means of a motor housed onboard the base part.

The inner upper reinforcement of the base part is provided with holes inorder to receive the corresponding trim and also receives the internalopening control, connected to the lock by the appropriate means.

The vibration absorbent support includes the external opening controlwhich, in turn, is connected to the lock by other means.

With these basic elements, the module is placed in the door, the windowpane that protrudes from it is inserted onto the rear guide in the door,it is supported firstly in the area of the lock and fixing is thencompleted by means of screws or similar items in the area of the hinges.

The door module, as it has been described, can use a male-femaleconnector in order to achieve electrical communication between theelectrical items situated in the module and the rest of the circuitsituated in the automobile.

In the same way, it is possible to use another male-female connector inorder to achieve electrical communication between the electrical itemssituated in the module itself and those situated in the door interiortrim.

The module in accordance with the invention can be complemented with theincorporation of other items or systems, without any restriction on thenumber or quality of these, such as an internal window seal, aloudspeaker, side protection systems or other means of anti-impactsecurity such as an airbag, and even a rear view mirror.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The drawing figure shows a door module according to the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The accompanying sheet of drawings allows us to appreciate a perspectiveof one practical application of the invention for purposes of greaterunderstanding of what has been described so far and, of course, withoutthis being restrictive in any way.

In this perspective we can appreciate the inner base part (A) of thedoor module, with the inner upper reinforcement (5) in its upperportion, going from the area of the lock (6) to the area of the hinges(8). As can be observed, this upper area is reinforced mechanically, forinstance by means of a double plate (A2) and a rib (16), as shown.

The base (A) extends from the top (A″) towards the bottom (A′), where itreceives the window winder system (7), the drive motor (not numbered inthis diagram), while the upper portion has the holes (15) for fixing.

The base (A) includes the two side guides (10) for the window pane (9)that extend to its upper end (18), operated by the action of the windowwinder (7) that is connected to the lower portion (14).

The part (4) or vibration absorbent support extends towards the rightend where the lock (6) is situated, and includes the verticalreinforcement on the exterior (1).

We can appreciate the positions of the internal control (2) connected bymeans of (17) to the lock (6) and assembled on the base (A), as well asthe external control (3), also connected to the lock.

The base part (A) has the area of the hinges (8) where one of thepreviously mentioned electrical connectors (19) can also be observed.

Once having described the nature and advantages of this invention, it isimportant to point out its non-restrictive character, inasmuch aschanges in the shape, materials or dimensions of its constituent partswill not in any way alter its essence, as long as they do not mean asubstantial variation of the whole assembly.

What is claimed is:
 1. A door module to be inserted into the body of avehicle door, said vehicle door including an area of hinges and a lockportion, said door module comprising: a base part with having an upperreinforcement, said upper reinforcement comprising a part that extendsfrom the lock portion of the door to the area of the hinges of the door;a vertical lock reinforcement located in the lock portion of the door,said vertical lock reinforcement secured to said upper reinforcement; avibration absorbent support, said vibration absorbent support runsapproximately parallel to said upper reinforcement, said vibrationabsorbent support runs from the hinge area of the door to the lock areaof the door, said vibration absorbent support being U-shaped in avertical position and encompassing the lock in the inner base of saidvibration absorbent support and said vertical lock reinforcement in theexterior of said vibration absorbent support; said base part extends atits lower end and receives ends of a window winder device and two guidesthat hold a window pane between said two guides; said window winderdevice is provided with two lower ends that connect to the lower edge ofthe window pane; a motor housed on board the base part to drive thewindow winder device; said upper reinforcement provided with holes toreceive corresponding trim and internal opening control connected to thelock.
 2. The door module according to claim 1 wherein a male-femaleconnector provides electrical communication among electrical items inthe door module and the electrical circuit situated in the automobile.3. The door module according to claim 1 wherein a male-female connecterprovides electrical communication between electrical items in said doormodule and electrical items arranged inside the inner door trim.
 4. Thedoor module according to claim 1 further comprising at least one of aninternal window seal, a rear view mirror control, loudspeaker, handsfree kit, side protection padding, and airbags.